Rev. - anyone watching?

[aubrey]

Actually I whould be watching this. I've just discovered that Steve Evets, ex Fall member, is in it. I remember him shoving a microphine into my face once, when he was in a group supporting them (he also played in The Fall half an hour later). I had no idea what to say, and just mumbled.

[everso]

Yes, he's the down and out that is the Rev's side kick (sort of)

[Patrick]

Just finished watching this week's in three parts. Everytime I thought it was about to get toe curling I went off and did something else. However - reaching the end - it was quite a good one - a nice little lesson on friendship - appearances (how they can be deceptive) and, er, relationships. Clever.

Alison Graham, the mad woman in the Radio Times was complaining about the lack of a laughter track in this. I still think it suits it without.

Summary; Still likeable, but distinctly odd.

[everso]

The bit at the beginning when he's talking to god and finishes by reaching for the toilet roll made me laugh. But it was done in a nice way.

[Patrick]

It seems to have been a hit 'in the industry' too!

We love its accuracy, poignancy and subtle sympathy with those still charged under English law with the "cure of souls" over every inch of the nation – whether it cares about us or not. Tom Hollander excels in the role and captures the hilarious obligation of 'niceness' and charity felt by every vicar. Like most rich seams of comedy, this is as painful as it is funny. The only occasion when I have been physically attacked in my South London parish arose from such pressure to be pleasant, overriding the far saner instinct to flee.

Grauniad article.

Good reviews from "The Top Man" too!

In the beginning was the script. And it was good. So good that it attracted an audience of two million every week to become the highest rating new comedy on BBC2.

Rev, a series about an inner-city vicar with a threadbare congregation, finishes its six-week run tomorrow night, having won the praise of clergy and critics for its gently mocking take on the struggles of a vicar to maintain relevance, earn revenues, survive clerical politics, fend off godless middle-class parents trying to get their kids into the church school … and still retain his libido.

Among the fans of the series is the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who thinks the series is "really rather good" and reveals "something about the continuing commitment of the church to run down and challenging areas. It also shows us someone who prays honestly."

[everso]

I was sorry it was the last one tonight. It was a bit different and the ending led me to believe that maybe another series is in the making.

Tom Hollander was very good as the vicar. And I loved the arch-deacon.

[Patrick]

For their research, Tom Hollander and Wood spent a year with "a handful of friendly vicars" in Boston, London and Salisbury. A lot of the storylines came from conversations about their work.

For once, (in a long time) it's been a 'comedy' series that's been put together with a bit of proper old fashioned research behind it. No wonder it seemed "different!"

[everso]

Yes. The acting was better than usual for a comedy show. I like Tom Hollander!

Pity he's shorter than me. We'd look ridiculous in a slow dance

[trubble]

Aug 2, 2010 22:26:40 GMT Patrick said:

For their research, Tom Hollander and Wood spent a year with "a handful of friendly vicars" in Boston, London and Salisbury. A lot of the storylines came from conversations about their work.

For once, (in a long time) it's been a 'comedy' series that's been put together with a bit of proper old fashioned research behind it. No wonder it seemed "different!"

The cast of Dinnerladies had to work in a canteen as their preparation. And both the writers of Father Ted were so dedicated that they were born and educated in Ireland. You can't say people haven't put the work in, Patrick.

[Patrick]

Aug 3, 2010 5:01:18 GMT trubble said:

Aug 2, 2010 22:26:40 GMT Patrick said:

For their research, Tom Hollander and Wood spent a year with "a handful of friendly vicars" in Boston, London and Salisbury. A lot of the storylines came from conversations about their work.

For once, (in a long time) it's been a 'comedy' series that's been put together with a bit of proper old fashioned research behind it. No wonder it seemed "different!"

The cast of Dinnerladies had to work in a canteen as their preparation. And both the writers of Father Ted were so dedicated that they were born and educated in Ireland. You can't say people haven't put the work in, Patrick.

Well, you have just happened to pick two of the other most stupendous comedy series of the past ten years - which kind of underlines my point really! Naturally anything 'decent' wasn't included in that comparison.

[Weyland]

I've never watched it, but I'm beginning to get the impression that it's in the nature of a sort of heretical Anglican take on Don Camillo, which is brilliant. Anyone care to comment?

[everso]

I haven't seen Don Camillo so can't comment. Rev is/was good though.

[Weyland]

Aug 3, 2010 11:26:40 GMT everso said:

I haven't seen Don Camillo so can't comment.

The books are better, Ev. I know -- I just KNOW -- that you would like them.

For me, get one out of the library and give it a go. Probably better to start with the first one, The Little World of Don Camillo by Giovanni Guareschi.

Humour, wisdom, everyday life, cooking, wine, unameit. Plus a refreshingly cynical view of religion and politics. It's all there. Trust me.

[everso]

I'll give it a go, Weyland.

I've just got two books from the library by Nicci French. I've just started reading her books and they are quite good - easy read late a night.

When I've finished them I'll give the Don Camillo books a go.

[Weyland]

Aug 3, 2010 19:00:49 GMT everso said:

When I've finished them I'll give the Don Camillo books a go.

Today, Radio-7 . . .

22:00–22:30 The Little World of Don Camillo

But it's a serial, so you might feel a bit lost.

[Patrick]

It should be coming back - Hope they don't spoil it......

A happy day for comedy fans today as it seems that James Wood and Tom Hollander's superb ecclesiastical BBC2 show, Rev, is all but signed up for a second series. BBC sources confirmed that "a deal is close to being struck", so that's good enough for us. Crack open the communion wine.

Rev quietly materialised on our screens in June amid little fanfare, with many people dismissing the premise as "too much like the Vicar of Dibley". But the patient were rewarded with a beautifully crafted addition to the religious comedy cannon. Where Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews' Father Ted excels in sublime silliness, Rev relies on intensely likeable characters and the warmth generated by their very believable relationships.

In the Loop star Hollander is Adam Smallbone, a country vicar newly arrived in an East London parish. So far so fish-out-of-water. But he's not at odds with his new surroundings, simply keen to understand them. He's instantly befriended by the local heavy-drinking conspiracy theorist Colin, who insists on calling him "Vicarage" and his wife Alex (Peep Show's Olivia Colman) "Mrs Vicarage".

Some of the show's finest moments involve vicar and vagrant sharing a bench in the churchyard, puffing on cigarettes and discussing the issues of the day. It's a comedy unafraid to mention theology, morality and the purpose of religion in a modern society. In the same way you'd want Jed Bartlett to be president, you find yourself really wishing Adam Smallbone was your local vicar.

The supporting cast are also superb, with Miles Jupp's stiffly careerist lay reader Nigel a particular highlight. Everyone sweetly underplays in a way that tells you just how good the direction must be. They're all very much, ahem, singing from the same hymn sheet, tone-wise. And Colman's subtle turn as Alex, the vicar's wife, could so easily have ended up as one of those sitcom wives with permanently rolling eyes and an obvious disdain for her husband. But these two really love each other. That hardly ever happens in comedy.

So while good new comedy might look a bit thin on the ground at the moment, there'll be at least one thing next year which you're advised to watch, er, religiously.

[trubble]

As you know, I didn't really take to it, but I guess I might eventually.

"So while good new comedy might look a bit thin on the ground at the moment, there'll be at least one thing next year which you're advised to watch, er, religiously."

Huh. What about Miranda?

[everso]

What's Miranda?